Chapter 103:

The 100 Days War - Chapter 11

The Children of Eris


While many knew of the Demon Emperor’s rise to power, few knew the identity of his greatest backer: The Vampire Court.

They still remained hidden in the shadows to this day, still holding a great deal of influence across the south-east, which helped pacify the region and allow his majesty’s armies to turn their attention to their neighbours.

Lady Lilith, the court’s heir apparent, had become the Demon Empress, but she had been assigned little work.

She had expected to be put in charge of handling the affairs of the Dread Keep or the capital, but those had been assigned to Rebecca and Hilda respectively, meaning she spent most of her days listlessly.

Allaric said that he’d tell me when I’d be able to help him, but I feel so useless to my husband. She sighed as she leant against the balcony rail. Isn’t there anything I can do to help him?

With those weighing on her heart Lilith had gone and asked some of the others what she could do to help, but their answers were anything but helpful.

“If his majesty has said to wait, then it’s best to wait,” Mímir had told her.

“With all due respect, my empress, you are Lord Allaric’s wife - you only need to command and we shall obey,” Eva said with a smile.

“You can provide the Dark Lord with some extra relief after a hard day’s work,” Mania purred with slightly pink cheeks. “If you need help, I’d be more than-”

Embarrassed, Lilith shook her head rapidly from side to side, then sighed once more.

Perhaps it’d be best to consult with Rebecca or Hilda, see if they’d let me help them with their tasks.

Thus, Lilith marched to Rebecca’s office, demanded to speak with her and ordered a servant to serve them the finest tea and cakes.

While initially stunned and confused by the sudden invitation from the empress, Rebecca was grateful to have a break from her work.

“What can I do for you, my empress?”

“Rebecca, are you satisfied with your current position in my husband’s court?”

“Of course, my empress.”

“Lilith.”

“…My empress?”

“My husband has given you permission to use his first name, so it would only be natural for me to allow you the use of mine too, at least when we are in private.”

“…Then, with your blessings, Lady Lilith.”

The vampiress beamed. “What?”

“Might I ask what has brought this on?”

“Rebecca, are you satisfied with your current position in my husband’s court?”

“Of course.”

“I-I see. B-but is there any jobs you don’t particularly like doing or wish you had more help with or-?”

“Far from it, Lady Lilith. I’m able to complete the work Lord Allaric has left me with the resources he’s given-”

“Please don’t say that.”

“My empress?”

Lilith leapt up from her seat and slammed her hands against the table, causing the drinks to shake. “Please tell me there’s something you need help with!”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m the only member of my husband’s court without any work right now and I am bored! Do I want to help out my husband? Of course. But I am also bored out of my mind! Lord Allaric loves me, he’s always really sweet and kind, and has got me anything I could ever want, but I haven’t been able to do anything for him. Please let me help you with your work!”

“As much as I appreciate your offer, Lady Lilith, I can’t ask the empress to assist me with my work.”

“You aren’t asking; your empress is commanding you to let her help you.”

“E-even then, Lady Lilith, I don’t know what Lord Allaric would-”

“Do you want me to tell him that you refused to obey your empress’s orders?”

With a soft, weary sigh, Rebecca walked back over to her desk and started looking through her paperwork to find something small that Lady Lilith could help her out with.

“Lady Lilith, did you ever help manage the Vampire Court’s castles or estates at all?”

“I did! Is that-?”

Rebecca smiled and pulled out a thick stack of papers from the pile. “These are the budgetary reports for the Dread Keep, including the cost of upcoming projects and the wages for the newly recruited members of staff. If you could have a look through them, make sure everything’s okay and-”

“I will!”

***

Stood outside Rebecca’s office, David smiled as he overheard his wife’s cute pleas to Rebecca.

I’m glad Rebecca was able to find some work for Lilith; I still don’t have any tasks for her to do. Maybe I should start trying to create some small project for her to do, or-

“What do you want?”

“Ah, it’s not as fun when you act like that?”

Eris descended from the grey void above David’s head and gracefully landed on the tips of her toes.

Then, with a captivating smile, she softly said, “You’ve been working quite hard lately - I hope you’re getting enough relief. If you aren’t, I’m sure some of the others in your court would be more than happy to take the brunt of your frustrations.”

Don’t give in, David.

Don’t yell at her, don’t give her any reaction - make it boring for her.

With a small sigh, he folded his arms. “I’d rather not. I’m more than happy with my wife and-”

“Tell me, David Athelward, what was the reward you gave Scylla and Charybdis again for their hard work? What was it they wanted and you happily obliged?” The Goddess giggled as her smile grew. “The sign of any successful marriage is faithfulness, no?”

“That was simply me playing my role as the Demon Emperor. There is only one woman I love and her name is-”

David couldn’t finish his thought for three women’s faces flew past his eyes.

No matter how hard he tried to hide it, Eris already knew exactly what had happened.

Gleefully, she flew close to his face and purred.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell. If you wanted.” She put her lips against his ear. “I wouldn’t mind letting you have a go with a Goddess.”

Immediately, David went to push her away with all his might, but found that the Goddess had anchored herself in the air with her powers. Her arms wrapped around his neck like a vice, holding him in place, and Eris laughed again.

“Don’t worry - that was a joke. I simply wanted to come and give you my thanks. You should be honoured; no mortal has ever received that before. You’ve managed to keep entertaining me throughout your struggles and I can’t wait to see how you’ll entertain me once my heroes arrive.

“That said.” Her voice grew cold and she withdrew from his person. “You know you’re running out of time, yet you still dither about and waste your time with nothing but administrative work.”

“…Don’t worry, Eris. This will only last until the Hundred Days War plan reaches its conclusion. I have no intention in immersing myself in paperwork when I’m meant to be waging war.”

“Good. Though, you are cutting it close, aren’t you?”

“Fairly, but it’s still within my calculations.”

The Goddess giggled. “Well, let’s leave it at that, shall we? Until next time, my dear Demon Emperor - don’t worry, I’ll come visit you again soon.”

Then, she disappeared, like always, leaving only her feathers behind.

“What did you even come here for?”

Not that it matters.

All that matters is that not everything’s gone according to plan; worse, Scylla’s reports about the adventurer she fought prove one of my worst-case scenarios.

Either Eris has planted strong people in this world to rival my followers, or the people of this world are capable of becoming strong enough to fight my generals.

If it’s the former, then perhaps it’s only a limited number of people.

If it’s the latter, which is more likely, that means both I and the Free Peoples could train soldiers as strong as Hilda.

…Eris did say that she hadn’t done anything to tamper with this world, but I don’t believe that. If I did, then it’d definitely be the latter.

It doesn’t matter - my goal hasn’t changed.

I need to survive in this world and I don’t care what I have to do to ensure that anymore.

Nobody else matters.

No one.